Wesleyan University Warns Students To Stay In Dorms After Fatal Shooting

May 07, 2009|By CHRISTINE DEMPSEY, The Hartford Courant

MIDDLETOWN — — Wesleyan University renewed its call for caution this morning in the wake of the fatal shooting of a student, issuing a warning that all students should remain in their residences and staff should not come in to work.

The suspect, identified late Wednesday as Stephen Morgan, has not been apprehended, Wesleyan spokesman David Pesci wrote in a statement posted on the university's website at 6:25 a.m.

"Based on the advice of local authorities, Wesleyan instructs all students to remain in their residences," he wrote. "Faculty and staff should not come to their offices unless otherwise instructed. We will be sending information soon in regard to food and other administrative services."

At about 1 p.m. Wednesday, Morgan walked into the Red & Black Café inside Broad Street Books near the campus and shot junior Johanna Justin-Jinich, who worked there. She was rushed to Middlesex Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

A SWAT team that had been practicing nearby quickly responded and cordoned off the area, and the Wesleyan campus was locked down. The university's annual "Spring Fling" celebrations were canceled.

Later, students dropped plans for a candlelight vigil to remember Justin-Jinich because officials warned against any such gathering.

The university sent an e-mail to students shortly after 7 p.m. saying, "Based upon additional information found processing the crime scene, we would recommend Wesleyan students and Middletown residents remain vigilant."